The moment is ripe to switch Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.

"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.

"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.

"Whenever media talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.

"This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Loom Large

With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.